As a Scottish lefty media hub We are going to take NO editorial lead & allow you to make up your mind in #POTUS2016. Our contributers are going out unedited- their views- their analysis. Some agree, some don't.

Different left views, Ungagged!

A new approach on the left. Respecting all left views and allowing them a voice. Passing no editorial judgement.

YOU decide. You hear the evidence, and if you are a citizen of the USA, you decide.

Steve McAuliffe was born and raised in South East London, and is a published author, performed playwright and a lover of the poetry and ethos of William Blake.

His writing has appeared in various political and poetical publications to date.
Having left a secondary Modern with little more than 2 O-levels and a comprehensive education in avoiding violence through humour, he finally returned to education in his early 30’s, when he attended Ruskin College in Oxford. Ruskin at that time was a perfect place to hone his political beliefs; there he mixed with veterans of the miner’s strike, plus assorted anarchists, communists and a handful of anarcho-syndaclists. He eventually attained a Master’s Degree in Scriptwriting from Goldsmith’s College in London

All Steve's writing is fired by a desire for social justice and the idea of individual liberty, as well as an unshakeable belief in the power of the imagination. He says two quotes from William Blake best sum up his philosophy;
‘Imagination is a glimpse of the divine’
And:
‘I must create my own system, or be enslaved by another man’s’

Having written endless plays, and film and TV scripts Steve has recently discovered that the best vehicle for his voice is poetry.

In July he had his first collection of poetry published, entitled: ‘Thamesmead’

Presented by Neil Scott. Recorded by the contributors... Edited by Neil Scott and Neil Anderson, with thanks to Victoria Pearson.

Do we take a stance. Yes. Do we agree with each other all the time? No.

Music by inspirational women and women's groups:

Sharon Martin

Babelfish Project

the Wimmins’ Institute

Petrol Girls

Desperate Journalist

Argonaut,

Foxcunt

Madame So

Fightmilk

Ethical Debating Society

Sharon Martin

Sharon Martin is a Scottish singer, songwriter and musician.

A BA (Hons) Commercial Music Graduate from the University of West of Scotland, Sharon has gigged and recorded extensively, sharing the stage and the studio with a multitude of award winning, world class musicians.

A professional session vocalist, Sharon has been involved in numerous recording projects, for Multinational Music Publishing companies, Hit record production and songwriting teams, Grammy award winners and British record breaking music producers.

Sharon is front woman for electro disco duo Flesh, with Grammy award winning record producer Stephen Lironi (Black Grape/Bon Jovi/Hanson/Fun Lovin Criminals). Flesh released their debut album 'Sick Electricity' in 2011 to an array of positive reviews, including being BBC Radio Scotland's Album of the Week.

Sharon is a highly proficient songwriter and collaborator. In 2011, she co-wrote the UEFA Women's Champions League song for top European side and Scottish Champions Glasgow City FC. The song is played extensively at the clubs home games, in stadiums throughout Europe and featured heavily in the 6 part BBC Alba TV documentary 'Glasgow City FC'.

Sharon was recently commissioned to write a Scottish Women's National Anthem for National Sporting Organisation SWF (Scottish Women's Football). A groundbreaking short film has been recorded to accompany the anthem by Award Winning Scottish TV Production Company Purple TV. The anthem 'Girl' is due for national release in July 2015.

The concept for The Babelfish Project was concieved by Derek Stewart McPherson in May 2000 as a way of drawing together the many artists from disparate backgrounds and disciplines he had met in three decades of playing music.

Petrol Girls are a punk rock, feminist band that use their music to voice their opinions on how women are judged for their sexual activity far more than men.
Petrol Girls are comprised of Liepa Kuraitė on Bass and Vox,
Ren Aldridge on Guitar and Vox,
Joe York on Guitar and Vox and
Zock on Drums.

Argonaut are purveyors of fiery female fronted alternative punk rock. The band released their self titled debut in 2012 and have recently unleashed their second album, Try.
Comprised of Lorna on vocals,
Nathan on guitar and backing vocals,
Abby on synth,
Guitar And Backing Vocals,
Joules on Bass and
Oz on drums.
You can find out more on their Facebook
Or follow them on twitter

Foxcunt

Foxcunt are a punk band made up of Jo Bevan on bass, Sean Clothier on guitar, Chris Damage on electric violin and vocals, Ally Moss on vocals and occasional guitar and Melissa Reardon on drums.
You can find out more about them on their Facebook page
Listen to them on YouTube
Or follow their twitter

Madame So

Madame So is a Paris-born/London-based singer-songwriter.
She makes lyric-led guitar pop that has been likened to Hole, Blondie, Patti Smith and PJ Harvey.
You'll either love the catchy immediacy of her melodies or dismiss it as being too "lo-fi"… Either way, in her own words: "If I pushed your buttons, I've accomplished my mission."

Fightmilk describe themselves as “sweaty pop for indie schmucks”
They are comprised of Lily on vocals and guitar,
Alex on vocals and guitar,
Adam on bass,
And Nick on Drums.
You can find them on Facebook
And on twitter
Or listen to more on their soundcloud

The Ethical Debating Society

The ethical debating society started as a pseudonym for Tegan Xmas writing anti-love songs on her hooty piano. It blossomed into a full band, now with Kristen Martin on guitar/vocals and Elizabeth playing pots and pans.
If they are trying to prove anything, it’s that music is for everyone to have fun with, not just a chosen few.

Saturday, 1 October 2016

Amber Daniels is an aspiring screenwriter and occasional blogger who often finds herself musing over the rise of the internet’s global influence, the execution of stories within popular culture, the differing forms of prejudice manifesting within contemporary society, one’s internal psychological landscape and living as a transgender woman in a world still trying to grasp the concept of gender non-conformity.

Bruce is a psychoanalyst in private practice in Edinburgh and an independentwriter and researcher.

He completed his existential and phenomenological informed training in psychoanalysis with the Philadelphia Association in London.

The Philadelphia Association was founded by the radical psychiatristR.D. Laing and others in 1965. He is also a trained experimentalpsychologist (University of Southampton, PhD) and he conducted research into the cognitive model of depression (the theoretical model which informs cognitive behavioural therapy; CBT) and the cognitive effects of SSRI antidepressants.

He is a member and on the board of governors of the College of Psychoanalysts-UK(2010-present), and a member of the Philadelphia Association andFree Psychotherapy Network.

Bruce is a contributing author to ‘R.D. Laing: 50 Years since 'The Divided Self’, Edited by Theodor Itten and Courtenay Young(2012), and the author of “Testimony of Experience: Docta Ignorantia and the Philadelphia Association communities, both published by PCCS Books Ltd (2014).

Bruce's current interests include: the interface between psychoanalysis and politics, DWP psychocoercian, societies of control, state philosophy, regimes of "truth" and cultural hegemonies.

He is particulary influenced by the work of Jacques Lacan, Gilles Deleuze, Felix Guattari, Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault, Friedrich Nietzche, and Georges Bataille.

You can find Bruce on twitter, @DrBruceScott or find out more on his website, or you can find out more about his work at the links below.